The state led the country in venison donations, the PA Game Commission said, donating nearly 7,800 deer through the nonprofit Hunters Sharing the Harvest during the 2024-2025 hunting season. That’s more than 283,700 pounds of venison, equating to about 1.1 million servings.

“Every year, our expectations are surpassed,” said Randy Ferguson, executive director for the nonprofit. ”

Hunters Sharing the Harvest started in 1991 as a way for sportspersons to embrace hunting as a social service. Through the program, hunters can donate deer through more than 100 approved meat processors across 56 counties.

The PA Department of Agriculture allocates state and federal hunger relief funds to reimburse the processors, the organization said. In turn, processors provide ground venison to local food banks for a lean, nutritious meal containing less fat than beef or pork.

Hunters who want to donate only need to harvest, tag and field dress a deer and drop it off at a participating processor.